Tablet Chair Swing Arm With Friction Bushing Seat Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tablet chairs lack flexibility and comfort in positioning the tablet, often requiring users to adapt their body or using solutions with complex mechanisms that can wear out or be limited to one-handed use, and may interfere with armrests.
Innovation Solution
A swing arm mechanism with a lobed friction bushing system that allows the tablet to rotate 360 degrees with the seat, maintaining its position relative to the user, and includes a clocking element for retaining orientation, enabling versatile positioning and resistance to disturbances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the tablet arm is made as a rigid fixed fixture, then durability against vandalism and hard-wear is maximized, but user comfort and convenience deteriorate as users must adapt their body around the tablet
Solution Approach 1:
The tablet arm is designed with dynamic positioning capabilities, allowing it to rotate and adjust between service and non-service positions. The swing mechanism enables the tablet arm to move from a fixed position to various angular positions, transforming the rigid structure into a dynamic one that adapts to user needs while maintaining durability through controlled movement ranges.
2Volume of moving object
If stowable tablet mechanisms are used with hinges for vertical storage, then space-saving is achieved, but device complexity increases due to additional locking or latching mechanisms that can wear or jam
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of complex locking hinges, the patent employs a dynamic swing arm mechanism that rotates on a vertical axis. The tablet arm can be positioned at various angles and held in place through friction or simple stops, eliminating the need for complex latching mechanisms while achieving space-saving through rotational stowage behind the seat.
3Ease of operation
If the tablet arm is allowed to slide or rotate between service and non-service positions, then user comfort is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to more moving parts that can wear or jam
Solution Approach 1:
The swing arm mechanism provides controlled dynamic movement with defined rotation ranges. The tablet arm rotates on a vertical axis with predetermined stops or friction elements that maintain position stability, allowing comfortable adjustment while limiting movement to wear-free ranges and preventing jamming through smooth rotational surfaces.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the tablet follows the seat during rotation, then positioning flexibility is maximized, but the mechanism complexity increases requiring friction resistance systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a friction bushing as an intermediary element between the tablet arm and the seat rotation mechanism. This friction interface allows the tablet arm to optionally follow seat rotation through controlled friction engagement, providing positioning flexibility while maintaining simplicity through a single friction-based interaction rather than complex mechanical linkages.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Provides maximum flexibility and comfort in positioning the tablet, allowing it to be moved out of the way while maintaining its orientation, even during seat rotation, and resisting incidental contact, thus enhancing user experience and durability.
Implementation Method 1
The seat has a lobed friction bushing on the second surface, which is disposed such that the flange of the second cylindrical member contacts the lobed friction bushing and frictionally resists rotation of the tablet arm as the seat rotates 360 degrees relative to the base
Implementation Method 2
the tablet arm includes a clocking element on the second cylindrical member. This clocking element catches on at least one other element attached to the second surface of the seat for retaining the relative orientation of the tablet as the seat rotates
Data Source
AI summary
On an article of furniture, a bearing assembly is disposed between an elongate central structure and a seat, which permits rotation between the seat and the base. A tablet is provided, which is connected to a tablet arm with a first cylindrical member, and the tablet arm is connected to the elongate central structure of the base with a second cylindrical member. The second cylindrical member is disposed around the elongate central structure with a flange at the upper end thereof. The bottom of the seat has a lobed friction bushing disposed such that the flange of the second cylindrical member contacts the lobed friction bushing and frictionally resists rotation of the tablet arm as the seat rotates 360 degrees relative to the base, leading the tablet to follow the seat as it rotates. A lobed friction bushing is also provided.