Armrest structure

Abstract

To provide an armrest structure which can perform positioning easily with one hand.SOLUTION: An armrest structure includes: an armrest part 30 which is attached to a fixed frame 25 so as to be swingable in a horizontal direction. The armrest part 30 includes: a button member 40 which is disposed at a tip of the armrest part 30 so as to enable pressing operation; and a biasing member 48 which biases the button member 40. The fixed frame 25 and the button member 40 fix swinging of the armrest part 30 by a pin 27, provided at one of the fixed frame 25 and the bottom member 40, engaging with an engagement groove 43a provided at the other. The biasing member 48 biases the button member 40 in a direction where the pin 27 and the engagement groove 43a are engaged with each other. When the button member 40 is pushed in against the biasing force of the biasing member 48, the pin 27 is disengaged from the engagement groove 43a to enable the armrest part 30 to swing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an armrest structure disposed on the side of a seat. [Background technology]

[0002] Work machines such as loaders and excavators used to excavate the ground and move excavated soil and sand have a seat inside the cab, and the operator sits in the seat and operates the control levers to perform the work. The seats of such work machines are sometimes equipped with armrests to reduce the operator's workload. By resting their elbows on the armrests, the operator can operate the machine in a comfortable position.

[0003] There is a demand for such armrests to be able to be adjusted in position according to the operator's physique and preferences. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which the armrest can be swung left and right by pulling a knob provided on the rear side of the armrest. In this configuration, when the operator releases the knob after the armrest is in the desired position, a positioning pin biased by a spring engages with a corresponding receiving groove, fixing the left-right position of the armrest. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 7-23461 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the configuration described in Patent Document 1, when adjusting the left-right position of the armrest, one hand must pull the knob while the other hand must move the armrest. This means that the armrest cannot be adjusted left-right with one hand, resulting in poor operability. Furthermore, after adjusting the armrest with both hands, the user must rest their elbows on it to check its position. If the position is not correct, the user must adjust it again with both hands, which can make the adjustment process more than one time. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve the problems of the conventional structure and to provide an armrest structure that allows easy position adjustment with one hand. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention comprises a fixed frame fixed to the side of a seat and an armrest portion attached to the fixed frame so that it can swing horizontally relative to the fixed frame, the armrest portion comprising a button member arranged at the tip of the armrest portion so that it can be pressed, and a biasing member that biases the button member in a direction protruding from the tip of the armrest, the fixed frame and the button member fix the swinging of the armrest portion by engaging a pin provided on one side with an engagement groove provided on the other, the biasing member biases the button member in a direction in which the pin engages with the engagement groove, and when the button member is pushed in against the biasing force of the biasing member, the pin disengages from the engagement groove, allowing the armrest portion to swing. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] As described above, the present invention provides a button member that is biased to protrude from the tip of the armrest, and when the button member is pressed against the biasing force of the biasing member, the pin disengages from the engagement groove, allowing the armrest to pivot. In this way, the armrest can be pivoted simply by pressing the button member at the tip of the armrest, allowing easy position adjustment with one hand. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating components of the armrest. [Figure 4] 10 is a partially enlarged view of the armrest portion to which the button member is attached, viewed obliquely from below. FIG. [Figure 5] 10A and 10B are partially enlarged views showing the attachment positions of the button member and the fixed frame, in which FIG. 10A is a view seen from diagonally above, and FIG. 10B is a view seen from diagonally below. [Figure 6] 1A and 1B are plan views showing the internal structure of the armrest, in which (a) shows a state in which the pin is engaged with the first engagement groove, and (b) shows a state in which the pin is engaged with the second engagement groove. [Figure 7] These are diagrams showing how the pin moves along the guide groove: (a) a diagram showing the pin engaged with the first engagement groove; (b) a diagram showing the button member being pushed in and the pin being disengaged from the first engagement groove; (c) a diagram showing the armrest portion being swung and the pin being moved to the front of the second engagement groove; and (d) a diagram showing the pin being engaged with the second engagement groove. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the upward direction when the seat 10 is placed horizontally will be referred to as the "up" direction, and the downward direction when the seat 10 is placed horizontally will be referred to as the "down" direction. The direction in front of the pilot seated in the seat 10 will be referred to as the "forward" direction, and the direction opposite to this "forward" direction will be referred to as the "rear" direction. The left side as viewed from the pilot seated in the seat 10 will be referred to as the "left" direction, and the right side as viewed from the pilot will be referred to as the "right" direction.

[0010] The armrest 20 according to this embodiment is provided on a work machine (for example, a work vehicle such as a hydraulic excavator) that has a seat 10. In such a work machine, an operator's seat 10 as shown in FIG. 1 is provided in the cab, and a console box 11 is arranged on both sides of the seat 10. Control levers 12 for operation protrude from the console box 11. The operator operates the control levers 12 with both hands to turn the machine left and right, move the arms, and perform other operations.

[0011] In this embodiment, an armrest 20 is attached to the upper part of the console box 11. The armrest 20 is disposed behind the control lever 12, and allows the operator to rest their elbows when gripping the control lever 12.

[0012] The armrest 20 according to this embodiment includes a support shaft 21, a fixed frame 25, and an armrest portion 30. As will be described in detail later, the left and right positions of the armrest 20 can be adjusted by operating a button member 40 that protrudes from the front end portion 20a.

[0013] The support shaft 21 is a member that supports the armrest 20. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the support shaft 21 according to this embodiment is a vertically disposed pipe-shaped member, with its lower end fixed to the console box 11. The support shaft 21 extends above the console box 11, and a fixing frame 25 (described later) is fixed to its upper end.

[0014] The support shaft 21 may be fixed directly to the console box 11, or may be fixed to the console box 11 via another member. For example, an outer pipe member may be provided protruding above the console box 11, and the support shaft 21 may be inserted into this outer pipe member and fixed. At this time, the outer pipe member and the support shaft 21 may be fixed by a fixing means such as a clamp mechanism. Furthermore, the height of the armrest 20 may be changed by releasing the fixing means to slide the support shaft 21 up and down relative to the outer pipe member and then re-fixing it at a desired position by the fixing means.

[0015] The fixed frame 25 is a member that is fixed to the upper end of the support shaft 21 and is disposed beside the seat 10. However, since the fixed frame 25 is housed inside the armrest portion 30, it is not exposed to the outside. Since the fixed frame 25 is a member that supports the entire armrest 20, it is made of a rigid material such as metal. As shown in FIG. 3, the fixed frame 25 according to this embodiment has a shape in which a metal plate is bent downward in a U-shape.

[0016] The fixed frame 25 is disposed so that its longitudinal direction is the front-to-rear direction, and as shown in Figure 6, it is bent at a slight angle at a bent portion 25a located near the center in the front-to-rear direction. A rear portion 25c behind the bent portion 25a extends parallel to the front-to-rear direction, while a front portion 25b in front of the bent portion 25a extends at a slight angle to either the left or the right. This configuration prevents the fixed frame 25 from protruding from the armrest 30 even when the armrest 30 swings left or right (the fixed frame 25 does not interfere with the upper cover 35 and lower cover 36, which will be described later).

[0017] The upper surface of the fixed frame 25 is a horizontal flat surface 25d as shown in FIG. 3. A stay 31 (described later) is attached to the flat surface 25d so as to be slidable left and right. A swing shaft 26 is provided on the flat surface 25d, closer to the rear than the center when viewed from the front to back. The swing shaft 26 serves as the swing center of the stay 31 and protrudes upward from the flat surface 25d. A pin 27 and an engagement protrusion 28 are provided near the front end of the flat surface 25d. The pin 27 protrudes upward from the flat surface 25d. In other words, the pin 27 extends with its axial direction extending vertically. The pin 27 according to this embodiment is a round bar and is inserted into a guide groove 43 of a button member 40 (described later). The engagement protrusion 28 is formed near the pin 27 and protrudes upward from the flat surface 25d. 5(a), the engagement protrusion 28 has two perpendicular inclined surfaces 28a that form a tapered corner 28b, and the corner 28b protrudes rearward. The engagement protrusion 28 is capable of engaging with an engagement recess of the button member 40, which will be described later.

[0018] The armrest 30 is attached so as to be able to swing horizontally relative to the fixed frame 25. As shown in Fig. 3, the armrest 30 according to this embodiment includes a stay 31, an upper cover 35, a lower cover 36, a button member 40, and a biasing member 48.

[0019] The stay 31 is a framework member of the armrest 30 and is made of a rigid material such as metal. The stay 31 according to this embodiment has a bent metal sheet shape. The stay 31 includes a button housing 32 at its front end. The button housing 32 is a portion for movably housing a button member 40. The button housing 32 includes side walls 32a on the left and right and a rear wall 32b at the rear. Therefore, the button housing 32 is enclosed on the left and right rear sides but is open on the front. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 7 , the rear wall 32b includes a through-hole 32c through which a spring mounting shaft 46 (described below) of the button member 40 passes. The button housing 32 houses the button member 40 so that it can protrude forward and slide back and forth. The button member 40 housed in the button housing 32 is supported without rattle by being guided at its sides by the parallel side walls 32a, allowing it to slide back and forth.

[0020] The stay 31 also has a plate portion 33 behind the button accommodating portion 32. The plate portion 33 has a flat lower surface that faces the flat surface 25d of the fixed frame 25. A shaft hole 33a for attaching the above-mentioned swing shaft 26 is formed in the plate portion 33. By attaching the swing shaft 26 to the shaft hole 33a, the stay 31 can swing left and right around the swing shaft 26.

[0021] The upper cover 35 and the lower cover 36 are members that cover the fixed frame 25, stay 31, and other mechanical components so that they are not exposed. The upper surface of the upper cover 35 is smooth so that the operator can rest their elbows on it. A notch 35a is formed in the front end of the upper cover 35, as shown in FIG. 3. This notch 35a forms an opening 30a in the front of the armrest 30 when the upper cover 35 and the lower cover 36 are combined (see FIG. 2). A button member 40, which will be described later, is arranged so that it can be inserted and removed from this opening 30a.

[0022] The button member 40 is a member that the operator operates when adjusting the left-right position of the armrest 20. This button member 40 is arranged at the tip of the armrest 30 so as to be able to be pressed. Furthermore, this button member 40 is arranged above the fixed frame 25 inside the armrest 30, and arranged so as to be able to slide back and forth along the flat surface 25d of the fixed frame 25. As shown in Figure 5 etc., this button member 40 comprises a main body 41 in which a guide groove 43 is formed, and a spring mounting shaft 46 that extends rearward from the main body 41.

[0023] The main body 41 of the button member 40 is formed in a thin plate shape as shown in Fig. 5. The front end of this main body 41 forms an operating part 42 that protrudes forward of the armrest 30 as shown in Fig. 2. When the operator presses this operating part 42, the button member 40 slides rearward relative to the fixed frame 25.

[0024] Furthermore, a guide groove 43 is formed in the main body 41 of the button member 40, penetrating in the up-down direction. As shown in FIG. 5(b), the guide groove 43 includes a plurality of engagement grooves 43a and a connecting portion 43d connecting the plurality of engagement grooves 43a. The guide groove 43 according to this embodiment includes two engagement grooves 43a, namely, a first engagement groove 43b and a second engagement groove 43c. The plurality of engagement grooves 43a (first engagement groove 43b and second engagement groove 43c) are formed parallel to each other and extend along the sliding direction (front-rear direction) of the button member 40. The connecting portion 43d is formed to connect the front ends of the plurality of engagement grooves 43a (first engagement groove 43b and second engagement groove 43c).

[0025] As shown in FIG. 6 , a pin 27 provided on the fixed frame 25 is inserted into this guide groove 43. The guide groove 43 is formed with a width greater than the diameter of the pin 27. Therefore, the pin 27 can move along the guide groove 43 and pass through the connecting portion 43d from one engagement groove 43a to another. The pin 27 can also be held in any engagement groove 43a. That is, as shown in FIG. 6 , the pin 27 can be engaged with the closed rear end of the engagement groove 43a. When the pin 27 engages with the engagement groove 43a, the left-right movement of the pin 27 is restricted. This prevents the fixed frame 25 and the button member 40 from moving left-right relative to each other, and fixes the armrest 30 so that it does not swing. In this way, the pin 27 engages with the engagement groove 43a, restricting the swinging of the armrest 30.

[0026] The lateral position of the armrest 30 changes depending on which engagement groove 43a the pin 27 engages with. That is, the position of the armrest 30 can be adjusted by fixing the armrest 30, which can swing left and right, at any position using the pin 27 and the engagement groove 43a. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6(a), when the pin 27 engages with the first engagement groove 43b, the armrest 30 is positioned parallel to the front-to-rear direction. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6(b), when the pin 27 engages with the second engagement groove 43c, the armrest 30 is positioned at an angle relative to the front-to-rear direction. In this way, the left-to-right tilt of the armrest 30 changes depending on which engagement groove 43a the pin 27 engages with.

[0027] On the other hand, when the pin 27 is not engaged with the engagement groove 43a, in other words, when the pin 27 is in the connection portion 43d, the movement of the pin 27 to the left and right is not restricted, and the armrest portion 30 can swing to the left and right relative to the fixed frame 25.

[0028] 4, a plurality of engagement recesses corresponding to the plurality of engagement grooves 43a are provided on the lower surface (the surface facing the fixed frame 25) of the main body 41 of the button member 40. The guide groove 43 according to this embodiment has two engagement grooves 43a (first engagement groove 43b and second engagement groove 43c), and therefore two engagement recesses are provided corresponding to the two engagement grooves 43a. Specifically, the guide groove 43 has a first engagement recess 44 corresponding to the first engagement groove 43b and a second engagement recess 45 corresponding to the second engagement groove 43c.

[0029] These engagement recesses are formed in a shape that fits into the corners 28b of the engagement protrusions 28 of the fixed frame 25. That is, the engagement recesses have two inclined surfaces that form an inside corner (valley shape), and this inside corner shape is formed at the same angle as the corners 28b of the engagement protrusions 28, so that the engagement recesses can engage with the engagement protrusions 28 without rattle. The engagement recesses and the engagement protrusions 28 are configured to engage with each other when the pin 27 engages with the engagement groove 43a. Specifically, when the pin 27 engages with the first engagement groove 43b, the engagement protrusions 28 engage with the first engagement recess 44, and when the pin 27 engages with the second engagement groove 43c, the engagement protrusions 28 engage with the second engagement recess 45. This configuration allows the fixed frame 25 and the button member 40 to engage smoothly and without rattle.

[0030] A spring mounting shaft 46 protrudes rearward from the main body 41 of the button member 40. As shown in FIG. 7, the spring mounting shaft 46 passes through the through-hole 32c of the stay 31. A biasing member 48 formed of a compression spring is attached to the outer periphery of the spring mounting shaft 46. The biasing member 48 is disposed between the rear end surface of the main body 41 of the button member 40 and the rear wall 32b of the stay 31 and biases them in a direction away from each other. This biases the button member 40 forward relative to the stay 31 and biases it so that it protrudes from the tip of the armrest 30. This biasing of the button member 40 forward also presses the rear portion of the guide groove 43 against the pin 27. In other words, the biasing member 48 biases the button member 40 in a direction that engages the pin 27 with the engagement groove 43a.

[0031] Due to the action of the biasing member 48, in the natural state, the pin 27 remains engaged with one of the engagement grooves 43a. On the other hand, when the button member 40 is pressed against the biasing force of the biasing member 48, the pin 27 disengages from the engagement groove 43a and moves to the connection portion 43d, allowing the armrest 30 to swing. This operation will be described with reference to Figure 7.

[0032] In the example of Fig. 7, as shown in Fig. 7(a), pin 27 is engaged with first engagement groove 43b. When button member 40 is pressed from this state, pin 27 disengages from engagement groove 43a and moves to connection portion 43d, as shown in Fig. 7(b). When pin 27 moves to connection portion 43d, pin 27 is able to move left and right, and armrest portion 30 can swing left and right relative to fixed frame 25.

[0033] Figure 7(c) shows the state in which the armrest 30 has been manually swung from the state in Figure 7(b). After the operator has swung the armrest 30 to the desired position, they release the button member 40 (by releasing the hand that had been pressing the button member 40). This causes the button member 40 to move forward by the urging member 48, so that the pin 27 engages with the engagement groove 43a. In the example in Figure 7(d), the pin 27 engages with the second engagement groove 43c, fixing the left-right position of the armrest 30.

[0034] The above-described operation can be easily performed with one hand. The operator simply grasps the front end of the armrest 30 with one hand and presses the button member 40 with that hand. Then, while grasping the armrest 30, the operator can swing the armrest 30 left and right, and release the button member 40 at any desired position to lock the armrest 30 in place.

[0035] In this embodiment, when the button member 40 and the armrest 30 move in the above-described operation, the pin 27 moves while always being housed in the guide groove 43. In other words, when the button member 40 and the armrest 30 move, the pin 27 does not move out of the guide groove 43. This prevents the pin 27 from falling out of the guide groove 43, and the pin 27 moves along the guide groove 43, allowing for a smooth series of operations.

[0036] As described above, according to this embodiment, the button member 40 is biased so as to protrude from the tip of the armrest 30. When the button member 40 is pushed in against the biasing force of the biasing member 48, the pin 27 disengages from the engagement groove 43a, allowing the armrest 30 to pivot. Thus, simply pressing the button member 40 at the tip of the armrest 30 allows the armrest 30 to pivot, making it easy to adjust the position with one hand. Specifically, by placing your elbow on the armrest 30 and grasping the tip of the armrest 30, you can naturally press the button member 40. Furthermore, because the position can be adjusted with your elbow resting on the armrest 30, you can adjust and check the position simultaneously.

[0037] In this embodiment, the button member 40 is biased so as to protrude from the tip of the armrest 30, but it does not necessarily have to protrude from the tip of the armrest 30. For example, the button member 40 may be provided flush with the tip of the armrest 30, and the button member may be configured so that it disengages from the engagement groove when pressed down through the opening 30a at the tip of the armrest 30.

[0038] In the above embodiment, the number of engagement grooves 43a is two, but the number is not limited to two, and three or more engagement grooves 43a may be provided. In this case, the number of engagement recesses may be increased in accordance with the increase in the number of engagement grooves 43a.

[0039] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the pin 27 is provided on the fixed frame 25 and the engagement groove 43a is provided on the button member 40, but this is not limiting, and the engagement groove 43a may be provided on the fixed frame 25 and the pin 27 on the button member 40. In this case, the shape of the engagement groove 43a may be reversed front to back.

[0040] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, an engagement protrusion 28 is provided on the fixed frame 25 and an engagement recess is provided on the button member 40, but this is not limited to this, and an engagement recess may be provided on the fixed frame 25 and an engagement protrusion 28 may be provided on the button member 40.

[0041] In the above embodiment, only one engaging protrusion 28 and multiple engaging recesses are provided, but this is not limiting and the numbers of engaging protrusions and engaging recesses can be set as desired. That is, as long as the configuration is such that when the pin 27 engages with one of the engaging grooves 43a, one of the engaging protrusions engages with the engaging recess, the number of engaging protrusions may be multiple or only one engaging recess may be provided. [Explanation of symbols]

[0042] 10 seats 11 Console box 12 Control lever 20 Armrest 20a Front end 21 Spindle 25 fixed frames 25a Refraction 25b front 25c rear 25d flat surface 26 Oscillating shaft 27-pin 28 Engagement protrusion 28a Slope 28b Corner 30 Armrest 30a opening 31 Stay 32 Button storage compartment 32a side wall 32b Back wall 32c through hole 33 Board part 33a shaft hole 35 Upper cover 35a Notch 36 Lower cover 40 Button parts 41 Main Unit 42 Operation section 43 Guide groove 43a Engagement groove 43b 1st engagement groove 43c 2nd engagement groove 43d Connection 44 First engagement recess 45 Second engagement recess 46 Spring mounting shaft 48 biasing member

Claims

1. A fixed frame attached to the side of the seat, an armrest attached to the fixed frame so as to be swingable in a horizontal direction; Equipped with The armrest portion includes a button member arranged at a tip of the armrest portion so as to be depressible, and a biasing member that biases the button member in a direction protruding from the tip of the armrest portion, The fixing frame and the button member are configured such that a pin provided on one side engages with an engagement groove provided on the other side, thereby fixing the swinging of the armrest portion, the biasing member biases the button member in a direction in which the pin and the engagement groove engage with each other, When the button member is pressed against the biasing force of the biasing member, the pin disengages from the engagement groove, thereby allowing the armrest portion to swing with the elbow resting on the armrest portion. Armrest structure.

2. forming a guide groove including a plurality of the engagement grooves and a connection portion connecting the plurality of the engagement grooves; When the button member and the armrest portion move, the pin moves while being accommodated in the guide groove. The armrest structure according to claim 1 .

3. one of the fixed frame and the button member has an engagement protrusion with a tapered corner, and the other of the fixed frame and the button member has an engagement recess into which the corner of the engagement protrusion fits; When the pin engages with the engagement groove, the engagement projection engages with the engagement recess. The armrest structure according to claim 1 or 2.

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