Armrest expansion device

Abstract

An armrest expansion device. The armrest expansion device can include two or more planar housings and couplings for reversibly coupling the device to a pre-existing armrest, for example a commercial passenger vehicle's armrest, or any other desired armrest. At least one of the planar housings may extend the useable area available as an armrest. Further, the armrest expansion device may additionally increase the effective height of the pre-existing armrest.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An armrest expansion device, comprising:
 a middle planar housing;   a near-side planar housing coupled to the middle planar housing;   a far-side planar housing coupled to the middle planar housing; and   one or more axles that facilitate moving at least one of the near-side planar housing and the far-side planar housing between an open position substantially perpendicular to the middle planar housing, and a closed position substantially parallel to the middle planar housing;   a coupling for reversibly coupling said armrest expansion device to a pre-existing armrest;   wherein the middle planar housing position, relative to a horizontal distance from the one or more axles, is adjustable with respect to the pre-existing armrest on which the middle planar housing is disposed, by two new armrests formed by deploying the middle planar housing, the near-side planar housing, and the far-side planar housing.   
     
     
         2 . The armrest expansion device of  claim 1 , wherein the coupling reversibly couples the armrest expansion device to a bottom portion of the pre-existing armrest. 
     
     
         3 . The armrest expansion device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one of the near-side planar housing and the far-side planar housing is deployed in an open position while the other of the near-side planar housing and the far-side planar housing is in a closed position. 
     
     
         4 . The armrest expansion device of  claim 1 , wherein the far-side planar housing is substantially larger than the near-side planar housing. 
     
     
         5 . The armrest expansion device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one of the near-side planar housing and the far-side planar housing is adjustable for size. 
     
     
         6 . The armrest expansion device of  claim 1 , wherein the middle planar housing is adjustable for size. 
     
     
         7 . The armrest expansion device of  claim 1 , further comprising padding disposed on at least one of the near-side housing, far-side housing, and middle planar housing, and wherein the padding is formed from at least one of cloth, leather, foam, and composite materials.