Adjustable arm and armrest assembly

Abstract

An assembly for allowing the arms or armrests of a chair to be extended laterally to accommodate a variety of body shapes and types. The adjustable arm and armrest assembly provides additional width between the arms of a chair.

1 . An adjustable arm and armrest assembly comprising: 
 an arm sliding means that is fixedly attachable to an arm/armrest of a chair to allow selective lateral outward and inward movement of the arm relative to said chair;    a width adjustment means that enables said arm sliding means to move laterally outward or inward relative to the chair; and    a housing means for support and containment of said arm sliding means and said width adjustment means.    
   
   
       2 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said arm sliding means is comprised of one or more extension rods and a plurality of support plates, with said extension rods being generally perpendicular to said support plates.  
   
   
       3 . The assembly of  claim 2 , wherein said support plates are fixedly attached to the ends of said extension rods, forming an inner and an outer support plate, with said inner support plate being attached to a grooved rack, and said outer support plate being attached to the arm/armrest of the chair.  
   
   
       4 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said width adjustment means is comprised of a means of producing rotational energy, at least one gear, one or more grooved racks, and a plurality of bearings.  
   
   
       5 . The assembly of  claim 4 , wherein said means of producing rotational energy is a crank that is turned by hand to rotate said gear, and the rotation of said gear moves said grooved rack inwardly or outwardly in adjustment of the width of said arm/armrest.  
   
   
       6 . The assembly of  claim 4 , wherein said means of producing rotational energy includes a motor and power gears that produce and transfer the rotational energy to said gear, whereby said width adjustment means will be automated.  
   
   
       7 . The assembly of  claim 4  wherein said plurality of bearings includes pillow bearings to allow smooth rotation of said crank and said gear when turned.  
   
   
       8 . The assembly of  claim 4  wherein said plurality of bearings includes linear bearings to allow smooth inward and outward linear movement of said arm sliding means.  
   
   
       9 . The assembly of  claim 4  wherein said plurality of bearings includes a slider bearing on the undersurface of said rack to allow smooth movement of the rack.  
   
   
       10 . The assembly of  claim 4  wherein said plurality of bearings include one or more bearings to provide support for and allow smooth rotation of said crank, one or more bearings to provide support for and allow smooth movement of said arm sliding means, and one or more bearings to provide support for and allow smooth movement of said grooved rack.  
   
   
       11 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein said housing means includes a cover and a base plate, with said cover having openings on opposite sides for said arm sliding means and in the rear for the width adjustment means.  
   
   
       12 . An assembly for adjusting the lateral position of the arms of a chair relative to a seat of said chair, the assembly comprising: 
 a base plate securely attachable to said seat of a chair;    arm sliders fixedly attachable to the arms of a chair;    an adjustment assembly for lateral adjustment of the arms and armrests of a chair; and    a cover which is placed over the adjustment assembly.    
   
   
       13 . The assembly of  claim 12  wherein the adjustment assembly includes at least two racks which are fixedly attached to the arm sliders.  
   
   
       14 . The assembly of  claim 12  wherein the adjustment assembly further includes a crank with an attached gear, which when rotated, moves the racks in opposite directions.  
   
   
       15 . The assembly of  claim 12  wherein the adjustment assembly includes a motor, and gears for controllably coupling rotational energy from said motor to said gears, whereby said adjustment assembly will be self-powered.  
   
   
       16 . The assembly of  claim 12  wherein the arm slider means is supported by and received through a circular bearing means.  
   
   
       17 . An adjustable arm and armrest assembly comprising: 
 a housing that is fixedly attachable to the undersurface of a chair which includes a cover and base plate which are releasably engaged;    a width adjustment means wherein said width adjustment means comprises an arm slider, a cranking means, one or more racks, bearings and a gear.    
   
   
       18 . The assembly of  claim 17  wherein said cranking means is connected to said gear, and the rotation of said gear enables the lateral movement of said rack, which is fixedly attached to said arm slider, which is fixedly attached to the arm and armrest.  
   
   
       19 . The assembly of  claim 17  wherein the cranking means comprises a motor and power gears, whereby said motor provides rotational energy for said power gears and said gear, which enable lateral movement of said rack, which is fixedly attached to said arm slider, which is fixedly attached to the arm and armrest.