Tablet Arm With Extruded Hinge

Abstract

A tablet mechanism for chairs which allows the tablet to be stored higher and more rearward to enable the tablet to utilize more space available so that the tablet can be larger. The mechanism includes extruded hinge components and allows the tablet to rotate counter clockwise and then down when viewed from the perspective of a seated user and when looking to the right.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A tablet arm hinge mechanism comprising:
 a support portion including at least two through holes;   a first pin configured to rotate about a first axis within a first one of the two through holes;   a rotatable connector secured to the first pin and configured to rotate with the first pin about the first axis;   a tablet configured to attach to the rotatable connector at a connection and the tablet configured to rotate relative to the rotatable connector about a second axis, the second axis transverse the first axis and the connection spaced relative the first axis and configured to rotate about the first axis.   
     
     
         2 . The mechanism of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a second pin aligned with the second axis and connected to the tablet and allowing the tablet to rotate about the second axis, the second pin configured to rotate about the first axis; 
 a stop configured to move within one of the two through holes which is a channel of the support, the stop configured to inhibit rotation of the rotatable connector about the first axis beyond first and second stop positions; 
 a third pin which interacts with the first pin to inhibit the rotatable connector from moving about the first axis relative to the first pin and to inhibit the rotatable connection from translating along the first axis relative to the first pin. 
 
     
     
         3 . The mechanism of  claim 1  wherein center of the first pin is spaced from a center of the stop at a distance and a spacing of the center of the first pin to a position of the second axis measured perpendicular to the first axis is at least twice the distance. 
     
     
         4 . The mechanism of  claim 1  further comprising a fourth pin which connects the rotatable connector to the tablet, the fourth pin aligned with the second axis. 
     
     
         5 . The mechanism of  claim 1  wherein the tablet is movable from a stowed position towards a usable position such that in moving away from the stowed position, an end of the tablet distal from rotatable connector moves in a counter-clockwise direction about the first axis passing through the support when viewing towards a right side of the chair from a seated position when the tablet is mounted on the right side of the chair. 
     
     
         6 . The mechanism of  claim 1  further comprising at least one bushing positioned between the rotatable connector and the support portion, the support portion and the bushing made of different materials. 
     
     
         7 . The mechanism of  claim 6  wherein the bushing is polymeric and the support portion is metallic. 
     
     
         8 . The mechanism of  claim 1  wherein the support portion includes at least one threaded hole and an outer surface of a shape matched to fit on a lower and/or interior side of an armrest of a chair. 
     
     
         9 . The mechanism of  claim 1  wherein an outer surface of the support portion is rounded at a constant radius and fits in a cooperatively shaped section of an armrest of a chair. 
     
     
         10 . A tablet arm system comprising:
 a support portion comprising a first hole defining a first rotation axis and a second hole defining a radially spaced channel spaced radially from the first rotation axis, said support connected to a chair;   a tablet comprising a surface and the tablet is connected at one location to a rotatable element, the rotatable element comprising a pin which is positioned in the first through hole and is configured to allow the rotatable element to rotate about the first rotation axis, the rotatable element further comprising a second pin which is positioned in the second hole and spaced relative the pin, the pin configured to move along the channel as the pin rotates about the first axis;   a third pin connected to the rotatable element and defining a second rotation axis transverse to the first rotation axis, the third pin further connected to the tablet to allow the tablet to rotate about the second rotation axis.   
     
     
         11 . The tablet arm system of  claim 10  further comprising:
 an armrest which is connected to the chair, the armrest including a concave curved surface; 
 an outer surface of the support portion being a convex curved surface arranged to fit in the concave curved surface; 
 at least one fastener passing through the armrest and into the support portion to secure the support portion to the chair. 
 
     
     
         12 . The tablet arm system of  claim 10  further comprising:
 at least one bushing arranged between the rotatable element and the support portion, the bushing made of a material different than the support portion.