Armrests with rotation adjustment system

Abstract

The present invention relates to an armrest (18) for a seat, comprising a disengagement device (35) operable by an actuation means, said disengagement device (35) being capable of being in a locked state in which a notch (29.2) of a movable element (30) faces a notch (29.1) of a fixed element (28) in an angular stop position, preventing rotation of the armrest body (20) in a first rotational direction (R1) while allowing rotation of the armrest body (20) in a second rotational direction (R2), and an unlocked state in which the notch (29.2) of the movable element (30) is axially spaced from the notch of the fixed element (28) and allowing rotation of the armrest body (20) in the first rotational direction (R1) to modify the angular stop position.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an armrest with a rotation adjustment system, which has particular advantageous application in aircraft seats, particularly but not exclusively in "first class" or "business class" aircraft seats. [Background technology]

[0002] In a manner known per se, a business class seat consists of a seat pan and a seat back hinged to the seat pan by a pivot connection. The seat may also include a leg rest hinged to the seat by a pivot connection. The seat pan and the seat back are attached to a seat structure which is fixed to the aircraft floor by fixed rails.

[0003] The seat is advantageously provided with a movement mechanism so that it can be moved between a raised position and a bed position. In the raised position, the seat back forms a non-zero angle with respect to the seat pan. The raised position is suitable for the takeoff, landing, or parking phases of the aircraft. In the bed position, the seat back, seat pan, and possibly the footrest are positioned in line with the seat pan, forming a substantially horizontal berth for the passenger. Intermediate comfort positions are also provided, such as a "reclined" position in which the seat back is tilted significantly backward. Typically, these intermediate positions are achieved by tilting the pivoting seat back about a horizontal axis perpendicular to the seat's extension axis.

[0004] The seat may be equipped with movable armrests that can assume several positions depending on the orientation of the seat, and it is desirable to keep the armrests in a horizontal position when the backrest is moved rearward toward a comfortable seating position.

[0005] Document US6467847 describes an armrest comprising a mounting shaft and an adjustment mechanism between both ends of the armrest. The mounting shaft includes two end slots. The adjustment mechanism is capable of memorizing the angular position of the armrest so as to return the armrest to the memorized position.

[0006] The document EP 0 655 365 describes an armrest folding mechanism applicable to the armrests of vehicle seats. The mechanism allows a first horizontal position and a second fully folded position. The transition from one position to the other is effected by pressing a button.

[0007] Document US5597209 describes a ratchet mechanism for adjusting the tilt of a vehicle seat armrest, which allows the armrest to be moved from a high to a low position without the need to press a button.

[0008] However, these modern devices do not allow for fine adjustment of the angle of the armrest.

[0009] The object of the present invention is to effectively remedy this drawback, in particular by providing an armrest for a seat, which comprises: The armrest for the seat is Armrest arm, an armrest body that can support a part of the occupant's body; an axis carried by the armrest arm and defining an axis of rotation of the armrest body relative to the armrest arm; The armrest further comprises a device for adjusting the rotation of the armrest body; The device comprises: a fixing element fixed to the armrest arm, the fixing element including a notch; a movable element rotatably coupled to the armrest body while being translationally movable relative to the armrest body along the rotation axis of the armrest, the movable element having a notch having a shape complementary to the notch of the fixed element; a disengagement device operable by the actuation means; The disengagement device is a lock state in which the notch of the movable element faces the notch of the fixed element at an angular stop position, preventing rotation of the armrest body in a first rotation direction while allowing rotation of the armrest body in a second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction; an unlocked state in which the notch of the movable element is axially spaced from the notch of the fixed element and allows rotation of the armrest body in the first rotational direction to modify the angular stop position; The armrest body is characterized in that the transition from the locked state to the unlocked state is possible by translational movement of the movable element along the rotation axis of the armrest body.

[0010] The invention therefore allows for precise angular adjustment of the armrest by means of cutouts in the fixed and movable elements so that the armrest can extend in a horizontal plane regardless of the position of the seat and the corresponding inclination of the backrest.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the disengagement device comprises a disengagement rod that is translationally movable relative to the armrest body, and a connecting rod having a first end that is rotationally movable relative to the disengagement rod and a second end that is rotationally movable relative to the movable element.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the disengaging device includes an elastic return member between the disengaging rod and the armrest body.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the notch of the movable element and the notch of the fixed element each comprise a plurality of stepped notches.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the notch of the fixed element is made in an axially protruding portion of the fixed element and the notch of the mobile element is made in an axially protruding portion of the mobile element.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the invention, the notch of the fixed element and the notch of the mobile element are made in a spiral-shaped surface.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the cutouts are dimensioned to allow the angular pitch of the armrest body to be between 2 and 5 degrees, preferably 2.5 degrees.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the actuation means is a button provided on one surface of the armrest body.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the invention, the armrest comprises a friction disc fixed to the armrest arm which cooperates with the armrest body.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the armrest body carries rods which are respectively inserted into correspondingly shaped guide slots provided on the outer circumferential surface of the movable element.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the armrest body is covered with a finish coating.

[0021] The object of the present invention is also to provide an assembly comprising an aircraft seat and an armrest as defined above.

[0022] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the airplane seat is movable between a raised position and a bed position.

[0023] The invention further relates to an aircraft comprising an assembly as defined above.

[0024] The invention will be better understood, and other features and advantages will appear, on reading the following detailed description, which includes embodiments given by way of illustration with reference to the accompanying drawings, presented as non-limiting examples, which may serve to complete the understanding of the invention and the description of its implementation, and ultimately contribute to its definition. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0025] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a seat with rotatable and adjustable armrests according to the present invention.

[0026] [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a side view of the different positions that the armrest according to the invention can assume depending on the position of the seat in FIG.

[0027] [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a rotationally adjustable armrest according to the present invention.

[0028] [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a rotationally adjustable armrest according to the present invention without the finishing cover, revealing its internal mechanism.

[0029] [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of the internal components of a rotationally adjustable armrest according to the present invention.

[0030] [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an armrest disengagement device according to the present invention.

[0031] [Figure 7]7a and 7b are partial perspective views of an armrest according to the present invention when the disengagement device is in the locked and unlocked positions, respectively.

[0032] [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a partial perspective view showing the stopping process of the armrest rotation adjustment device when the armrest is in the raised position.

[0033] [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an armrest arm according to the invention, which is provided with a friction disc for cooperating with the armrest body.

[0034] [Figure 10] Figures 10a, 10b and 10c are schematic top views illustrating the operation of an armrest disengagement device according to the present invention.

[0035] [Figure 11] FIG. 11 shows the variation of the overlap area between the fixed and movable elements of the rotation adjustment device as a function of different angular positions of the armrest. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0036] It should be noted that in the figures, structural and / or functional elements that are common to different embodiments may have the same references, and therefore, unless otherwise specified, such elements have the same structural, dimensional and material characteristics.

[0037] 1 shows a seat 10, particularly for an aircraft cabin, comprising a seat pan 11 and a backrest 12 connected to the seat pan 11 by a pivot connection on a horizontal axis. Optionally, the seat 10 may also include a leg rest 13 connected to the seat pan 11 by a pivot connection on a horizontal axis.

[0038] The seat 10 also comprises a seat structure 14 which is fixed to a rail of the aircraft cabin, for this purpose the seat structure 14 including a lock 15 which can cooperate with the rail of the aircraft cabin.

[0039] The seat 10 is advantageously provided with a movement mechanism for movement between the raised position and the bed position. The movement mechanism comprises a set of actuators, connecting parts and joints for moving the different components of the seat relative to one another when moving from one position to another. The seat 10 can also assume intermediate positions.

[0040] 2, the seat 10 can be in a dining position P_din where the backrest 12 is raised at a sharp angle so that a passenger can sit comfortably and enjoy a meal, a TTL (Taxi, Take-off, Landing) position P_ttl where the seat 10 is in the takeoff, landing, or parking phase of an aircraft, or a reclining position P_rel where the backrest 12 of the seat 10 is inclined significantly backward. In the dining position, the TTL position, and the reclining position, the backrest 12 can form angles A1 of, for example, 15 degrees, 20 degrees, and 40 degrees, respectively, with respect to a vertical reference direction.

[0041] The armrest 18 attached to the seat 10 is rotatably adjustable so that it can extend in a horizontal plane regardless of the position of the seat 10. The armrest 18 includes an armrest arm 19 having a fastening interface 25 with the seat structure 14. The fastening interface 25 may have openings for receiving fastening members such as screws, rivets, or other fastening members suitable for the application.

[0042] The armrest body 20 shown in Figure 4 has an upper surface on which parts of the passenger's body, in particular the arms, can be supported. A shaft 23 carried by the armrest arm 19 defines an axis of rotation X1 of the armrest body 20 relative to the armrest arm 19. The shaft 23 can, for example, be in the form of a rod fitted or screwed to the armrest arm 19.

[0043] The armrest body 20 is preferably covered by a finishing cover 24, as shown in Figure 3. The finishing cover 24 can be made of cloth, leather, velvet, Alcantara, or other material suitable for finishing the armrest 18.

[0044] As shown in Figures 7a and 7b, the rotation adjustment device 27 of the armrest body 20 comprises a fixing element 28 fixed to the armrest arm 19. The fixing element 28 comprises a notch 29.1 for cooperating with a correspondingly shaped notch 29.2 of the movable element 30, which will be described in detail below. More precisely, the fixing element 28 comprises an annular portion 28.1 with an opening for the shaft 23 to pass therethrough so as to mount the fixing element 28 around the shaft 23. The fixing element 28 is fixed on the armrest arm 19 by means of fixing members such as screws, rivets, chemical fixing means such as adhesives, or other fixing means suitable for the application. According to some embodiments, the fixing element 28 can form part of the armrest arm 19.

[0045] The notch 29.1 of the fixing element 28 is formed in a protrusion 28.2 that protrudes axially from the end face of the annular portion 28.1. In this specification, the terms "axial" and "radial" are understood to refer to the longitudinal extension of the shaft 23. The notch 29.1 is formed in a lateral surface of the protrusion 28.2 of the fixing element 28. The surface of the fixing element 28 on which the notch 29.1 is formed has a helical shape.

[0046] Furthermore, the movable element 30 is rotatably connected to the armrest body 20 while being translationally movable relative to it along the rotation axis X1 of the armrest 18. For this purpose, the armrest body 20 carries a number of rods 32, shown passing through in Figure 4, each of which is inserted into a correspondingly shaped guide slot 33. The guide slots 33, shown in Figure 6, are arranged on the outer periphery of the movable element 30. Each rod 32 is axially oriented relative to the axis 23.

[0047] The mobile element 30 is provided with a notch 29.2 whose shape is complementary to the shape of the notch 29.1 of the fixed element 28. The fixed element 28 and the mobile element 30 are mounted coaxially to each other.

[0048] More specifically, as shown in Figure 6, the movable element 30 comprises an annular portion 30.1 having an opening for the passage of the shaft 23. The notch 29.2 of the movable element 30 is formed in a protruding portion 30.2 that protrudes axially from the end face of the annular portion 30.1. The notch 29.2 is made in a lateral surface of the protruding portion of the movable element 30. The surface of the movable element 30 on which the notch 29.2 is formed has a helical shape.

[0049] 7a and 7b, the protrusions 28.2 of the fixed element 28 and the protrusions 30.2 of the movable element 30 face each other. Thus, the protrusions 28.2 of the fixed element 28 are directed towards the movable element 30. The protrusions 30.2 of the movable element 30 are directed towards the fixed element 28.

[0050] The notches 29.2 of the movable element 30 and the notches 29.1 of the fixed element 28 each have a plurality of stepped notches, each corresponding to a step. The notches 29.1, 29.2 are sized such that the angular pitch is comprised between 2 and 5 degrees, preferably 2.5 degrees.

[0051] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the disengagement device 35 can be actuated by an actuation means 36. According to a preferred embodiment, the actuation means 36 is a button provided on the front surface of the armrest body 20. Alternatively, the button may be located on the side or top surface of the armrest body 20. Alternatively, the actuation button 36 may be replaced by a lever or other actuation means suitable for the application.

[0052] The disengagement device 35 can assume a locked state in which the notch of the movable element 30 faces the notch of the fixed element 28 (see FIG. 7a) at an angular stop position corresponding to the in-use position of the armrest 18. Such a configuration prevents rotation of the armrest main body 20 in a first rotation direction R1 about the rotation axis X1, while allowing rotation of the armrest main body 20 about the rotation axis X1 in a second rotation direction R2 opposite to the first rotation direction R1. Preferably, the first rotation direction R1 corresponds to a clockwise direction when the armrest 18 is viewed from the right. Accordingly, the second rotation direction R2 corresponds to a counterclockwise direction when the armrest 18 is viewed from the right. In the locked state, the armrest main body 20 can no longer be rotated downward, allowing the occupant to rest their arms on the armrest main body 20.

[0053] 2, the armrest can be in a stowed position in which the armrest 18 forms an angle A2 of 0 degrees relative to the backrest 12. Use positions of the armrest 18 can be, for example, a "dining" position in which the armrest 18 forms an angle of 105 degrees relative to the backrest 12, a so-called TTL (Taxi, Take-off, Landing) position in which the armrest 18 forms an angle of 110 degrees relative to the backrest 12, or a reclined position in which the armrest 18 forms an angle of 130 degrees relative to the backrest 12. Use positions of the armrest 18 are shown with reference to the corresponding positions of the seat 10.

[0054] In the locked state, the notches 29.2 of the movable element 30 at least partially overlap the notches 29.1 of the fixed element 28 along an overlapping region 39, in which some notches of the movable element 30 cooperate with correspondingly shaped notches of the fixed element 28. The length of the overlapping region 39 is variable depending on the angular position of the armrest body 20.

[0055] In the second rotation direction R2, the fixed element 28 is free from any obstruction so that the armrest body 20 can move freely backwards to the storage position in which the armrest 18 is located in an extension of the backrest 12. As shown in Figure 8, the movable element 30 may include an angle stop 40 that makes it possible to stop the armrest body 20 from rotating in the storage position. The angle stop 40 of the movable element 30 is arranged to contact the surface of the protrusion 28.2 of the fixed element 28 that is opposite to the surface that forms the notch 29.1.

[0056] The disengaging device 35 can also be in an unlocked state in which the notch 29.2 of the movable element 30 is axially spaced from the notch 29.1 of the fixed element 28, as shown in Figure 7b, allowing the armrest body 20 to be rotated downwards in a first rotation direction R1 so as to correct the angular stop position.

[0057] Indeed, when the mobile element 30 is moved away from the fixed element 28, forward rotation of the armrest body 20 in the first direction of rotation R1 makes it possible to effect an angular offset of the notch 29.2 of the mobile element 30 relative to the notch 29.1 of the fixed element 28. Subsequently, release of the actuation means 36 allows the notch 29.2 of the mobile element 30 to cooperate with the notch 29.1 of the fixed element 28, and the disengagement device 35 returns to the locked state. In this way, the angular stop position of the armrest 18 is changed by adapting the length of the overlap region 39.

[0058] For this purpose, as shown in Figures 4, 5 and 6, the disengagement device 35 is composed of a disengagement rod 41 which is movable in translation relative to the armrest body 20, and a connecting rod 42, the first end of which is movable in rotation relative to the disengagement rod 41 and the second end of which is movable in rotation relative to the movable element 30.

[0059] The disengaging device 35 comprises an elastic return member 43, such as a spring or other element capable of performing this function, between the disengaging rod 41 and the armrest body 20. In this case, the elastic return member 43 faces, on the one hand, a ring 44 fixed to the disengaging rod 41, and, on the other hand, a guide element 47 for translating the disengaging rod 41. The guide element 47 is fixed relative to the armrest body 20. The guide element 47 has, for example, a parallelepiped shape and has an opening for the disengaging rod 41 to pass through. The guide element 47 is made to be removably attached (for maintenance purposes) and performs the functions of guiding the rod 41, returning the two main parts that form the armrest body 20, and supporting the elastic return member 43. The guide element 47 can therefore have any shape other than a parallelepiped shape that enables the aforementioned functions, in particular a cylindrical shape with or without grooves, shoulders or flat surfaces.

[0060] 10a, 10b and 10c, the operation of the armrest 18, for example, initially in the eating position (see FIG. 10a), will now be described.

[0061] When a passenger wants to move the armrest 18 upward in the storage position, the passenger can push the armrest body 20 upward without pushing the actuation means 36.

[0062] As shown in Figure 10b, when a passenger wishes to move the armrest body 20 downward to the TTL position or reclined position, the passenger presses the actuating means 36 along arrow F1. This has the effect of translating the disengagement rod 41 towards the movable element 30 along arrow F2, compressing the elastic return member 43. The movement of the disengagement rod 41 causes the connecting rod 42 to rotate about its first end, which in turn causes the movable element 30 to move away from the fixed element 28 along arrow F3. The passenger can then move the armrest body 20 to the desired position.

[0063] 10c, once the desired position is reached, the passenger can release the actuation button 36, which depressurizes the elastic return member 43 and causes the disengaging rod 41 to translate in the opposite direction to the movable element 30 (see arrow F4). The movement of the disengaging rod 41 causes the connecting rod 42 to rotate about its first end and moves the movable element 30 closer to the fixed element 28 along arrow F5. The notch 29.2 of the movable element 30 then cooperates with the notch 29.1 of the fixed element 28 to maintain the armrest body 20 in the desired position.

[0064] The further the armrest 18 is moved downward, the less the overlapping area 39 between the notches 29.1, 29.2 of the fixed element 28 and the movable element 30 decreases. Thus, as shown in FIG. 11 , in the eating position P_din, the length of the overlapping area 39 between the notches of the movable element 30 and the notches of the fixed element 28 is at its maximum, while in the reclining position P_rel, the length of the overlapping area 39 between the notches of the movable element 30 and the notches of the fixed element 28 is at its minimum. The length of the overlapping area 39 is intermediate in the TTL position. In FIG. 11 , the angle A3 between the armrest and the vertical reference direction is 105 degrees, 110 degrees, and 130 degrees for the eating position P_din, the TTL position P_ttl, and the reclining position P_rel, respectively.

[0065] Preferably, the force applied to the actuation means 36 to switch the disengagement device 35 from the locked state to the unlocked state is 10 Newtons or less.

[0066] As shown in Figure 9, the armrest 18 may also include a friction disc 48 fixed to the armrest arm 19 for cooperating with the armrest body 20, thereby providing some resistance when moving the armrest 18 from one position to another, particularly while maintaining the armrest 18 in an intermediate position. The friction disc 48 is located on the side opposite to the side comprising the device 27 for adjusting the rotation of the armrest 18.

[0067] Of course, different features, variants and / or embodiments of the invention may be associated with one another in various combinations, unless they are mutually exclusive or incompatible.

[0068] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, which are provided by way of example only, and encompasses various modifications, alternative forms, and other variations that those skilled in the art may envision in the context of the present invention, and in particular any combination of the above-described various operating modes may be employed, either separately or in combination.

Claims

1. An armrest (18) for a seat (10), comprising: An armrest arm (19); an armrest body (20) capable of supporting a part of the occupant's body; a shaft (23) carried by the armrest arm (19) and defining a rotation axis (X1) of the armrest body (20) relative to the armrest arm (19); The armrest further comprises a device (27) for adjusting the rotation of the armrest body (20); The device (27) a fixing element (28) fixed to the armrest arm (19), the fixing element (28) including a notch (29.1); a movable element (30) rotatably connected to the armrest body (20) while being translationally movable relative to the armrest body (20) along the rotation axis (X1) of the armrest (18), the movable element (30) having a notch (29.2) having a shape complementary to the notch (29.1) of the fixed element (28); a disengagement device (35) operable by an actuation means (36); The disengagement device (35) a locked state in which the notch (29.2) of the movable element (30) faces the notch (29.1) of the fixed element (28) at an angular stop position, preventing rotation of the armrest body (20) in a first rotation direction (R1) while allowing rotation of the armrest body (20) in a second rotation direction (R2) opposite to the first rotation direction (R1); an unlocked state in which the notch (29.2) of the movable element (30) is axially spaced from the notch (29.1) of the fixed element (28) and allows rotation of the armrest body (20) in the first rotation direction (R1) to modify the angular stop position; The armrest is characterized in that the transition from the locked state to the unlocked state is possible by translational movement of the movable element (30) along the rotation axis (X1) of the armrest body (20).

2. 2. The armrest of claim 1, wherein the disengagement device (35) comprises a disengagement rod (41) that is translationally movable relative to the armrest body (20), and a connecting rod (42) having a first end that is rotationally movable relative to the disengagement rod (41) and a second end that is rotationally movable relative to the movable element (30).

3. 3. The armrest according to claim 2, wherein the disengagement device (35) comprises an elastic return member (43) between the disengagement rod (41) and the armrest body (20).

4. 4. An armrest according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the notches (29.2) of the movable element (30) and the notches (29.1) of the fixed element (28) each comprise a plurality of stepped notches.

5. 5. An armrest according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the notch (29.1) of the fixed element (28) is formed in an axially projecting portion of the fixed element (28) and the notch (29.2) of the movable element (30) is formed in an axially projecting portion of the movable element (30).

6. Armrest according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the notch (29.1) of the fixed element (28) and the notch (29.2) of the mobile element (30) are made in a spiral-shaped surface.

7. Armrest according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the cutouts (29.1, 29.2) are dimensioned to allow the angular pitch of the armrest body (20) to be between 2 and 5 degrees, preferably 2.5 degrees.

8. An armrest according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the actuation means (36) is a button provided on one surface of the armrest body (20).

9. Armrest according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a friction disc (48) fixed to the armrest arm (19) cooperating with the armrest body (20).

10. An armrest according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the armrest body (20) carries rods (32) respectively inserted into correspondingly shaped guide slots (33) provided on the outer periphery of the movable element (30).

11. Armrest according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the armrest body (20) is covered with a finish coating.

12. 1. An assembly comprising: Airplane seats (10), An assembly, characterized in that it comprises an armrest (18) according to any one of the preceding claims.

13. 13. An assembly according to claim 12, characterized in that the aircraft seat (10) is movable between a raised position and a bed position.

14. An aircraft comprising an assembly according to claim 12 or 13.

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